But Nancy Pelosi didn’t wear Democrat blue, either, opting instead for a surpris ingly fashionable plum power suit for her first day as speaker of the House.

Looking 10 years younger than 66, thanks to “Monster-in-Law” Jane Fonda hair and excellent makeup, Pelosi scored a style win. The burgundy hue is one of the colors of the season, and the pearls weren’t Barbara Bush-esque – champagne instead of white, necklace instead of choker.

She was feminine but powerful, and just a little bit Cali. The gavel was a nice accessory, too. Wonder what bag goes with that.

Best of all, she didn’t fall into the anchorwoman trap: Nothing too bright or boxy. Katie Couric is probably wishing this is what she had worn for her first day on CBS News.

Is it fair to judge a female speaker on her clothes? Probably not, but consider this: Dennis Hastert never looked this good.